reminiscent

2

Minji's consciousness drifted in and out, the weight of fatigue anchoring her to the soft mattress beneath her. She blinked slowly, her vision swimming as she tried to make sense of the unfamiliar surroundings. The room was bathed in a gentle morning light, filtering through curtains that fluttered slightly in the breeze. It was a cozy space, with warm-toned walls and shelves lined with books and trinkets, a stark contrast to the cold, impersonal corners of her usual world.

She attempted to sit up, but a wave of dizziness swept over her, forcing her to lie back down. Her mind was blank, the events of the previous day nothing but a hazy blur. The disorientation settled into her bones, and she closed her eyes again, trying to will the room to stop spinning.

The faint creak of a door opening reached her ears, and she forced her eyes open once more. A figure stepped into the room—a man, his black shirt contrasting sharply with the soft colors of the space. Minji's heart skipped a beat as she struggled to focus, her vision still betraying her. The man's movements were gentle as he approached, holding a bowl of something steaming in his hands.

Her thoughts jumbled together, and she struggled to focus. The scent of warm porridge reached her, mingling with a familiar fragrance that tugged at her memory, though she couldn't place it. Panic and confusion welled up inside her, rendering her unable to speak or even move.

"Are you awake?" The man's voice was soft, almost hesitant, as if he were afraid of startling her. His concern was evident, and yet Minji couldn't respond. Her throat felt tight, her thoughts too scrambled to form words.

She blinked slowly, trying to clear the fog from her mind, but the world remained a confusing blur. The man set the bowl on a table beside the bed and approached her. Before she could react, his hands were gently helping her sit up, his touch warm and steady against her back.

Minji's heart pounded, her mind racing to catch up with the situation. Her pulse quickened as his face came into clearer view—a sharp jawline softened by an expression of deep concern. The familiarity in his eyes unsettled her, sending a flush of warmth to her cheeks. She wanted to say something, to ask where she was or who he was, but the words remained lodged in her throat.

"You're safe," he murmured, his voice a soothing balm against the storm of her emotions. "Ms. Lim brought you here after you fainted. Just take it easy."

Minji frowned, her confusion deepening. She shifted slightly, her hands trembling as she tried to push the blanket away, as if she intended to get up and leave. But the moment she attempted to move, a wave of dizziness washed over her, and she faltered.

The man quickly placed a gentle but firm hand on her shoulder, stopping her. "Hey, don't try to get up yet," he said softly. "You're still weak. Just rest for now."

Minji's eyes darted around the room, still guarded, as if she were trying to piece together an escape plan. But his reassuring presence and the warmth of his hand on her shoulder made it difficult to maintain her defenses. He seemed to sense her apprehension, his expression softening further as he added, "You don't need to worry. You're safe here. No one's going to hurt you."

Minji's chest rose and fell with shallow breaths, her mind still swirling with questions she couldn't yet articulate. The man didn't push her to speak. Instead, he reached for the glass of water on the bedside table, his movements slow and deliberate, as if trying not to startle her.

"Here," he said, his voice low and gentle. "Drink a little. It'll help."

Minji hesitated, her eyes narrowing as she watched him, but there was something in his expression—a mixture of concern and patience—that made it hard to refuse. She accepted the glass, her fingers brushing against his as she took it. The contact sent a small shock through her, but she couldn't quite grasp why.